In response to Gulf News reader letter:

Emirates ID intensified its efforts to activate the electronic linkage with the UAE government entities (‘What’s the point?’, Gulf News, July 19). It has exerted more efforts to urge both government and private organisations to adopt the ID card in the light of the completion of the population register system and the expiry of all the registration deadlines across the UAE, with the exception of the category of children and the residents whose residences expire in 2012 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Undoubtedly, the Ministry of Labour is one of the Emirates ID’s prominent strategic partners and the Emirates ID has previously hailed the announcement made last March by Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour, that the ID card will replace the labour card during the second half of 2012 by the time of expiry of the deadlines of the UAE population’s registration in the population register and ID card system. However, it is left to the Ministry of Labour to decide the date of replacing the Labour card with the ID card.

From Mr Samir Hammad

Deputy – Media and Communication

Emirates Identity Authority

 

The meaning behind Ramadan

Most people think that Ramadan is all about food and I don’t blame them. With the advent of Ramadan we see a growth in expensive lavish iftar buffets advertised by many restaurants. In these buffets so much food is wasted. People sit, talk, entertain themselves, and some even smoke shisha. Is this the true meaning of Ramadan? Fasting is not just a practice of staying hungry and then splurging. The experience of hunger should make us feel the pain of the poor and in turn make us give more charity and not waste food. Fasting also gives us self control. The essence of Ramadan is in the extra prayers asking God for forgiveness and getting involved in charity. Let us not make it an event of lavishness and wastefulness.

From Ms Mahnaaz Shaikh

UAE

 

Hungry drivers

This year being one of the hottest and longest Ramadan days, it is a matter of concern for all who are on the road right before iftar. On the first day of Ramadan, I happened to witness and experience at least three near-accidents in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah roads. This is really dangerous and I hope that no one gets hurt. Could the relevant authorities come out with clear guidelines, stricter rules and fines to those who drive extremely fast?

From Mr Ramesh Menon

Abu Dhabi

 

Immune to bad news

I occasionally read in the news about someone dying or getting injured. I rarely read about something good that makes the world a better place. There is always something bad going on in the world such as war, crime, murder and accidents. Recently, I read about a boy who drowned in a pool because he didn’t know how to swim. What I don’t understand is why he went into the pool if he didn’t know how to swim? Another issue I am bothered with is why do some people go hysterical when they are in the process of electing a president? What’s wrong with staying calm? Maybe if so many bad incidents didn’t take place then we could get used to good news. Our brain has heard so much bad news that we don’t really care anymore. If we could take some bad news out of the newspapers then we could care more if something really bad happens.

From Ms Alina Sophia Ali

UAE

 

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